Last week, the rain brought by Tropical Storm Rammasun effectively ending the drought in northern Taiwan. It was a rare case of a benevolent storm. Amid our happiness over the lifting of water restrictions, however, we must consider whether this kind of drought could occur again, whether we can count on being as fortunate as this time should it happen, and whether the next typhoon will fill reservoirs to the point at which the floodgates have to be opened so that water can be discharged.
Average annual rainfall in Taiwan is 2,500mm, but, because the nation's rivers are short and slope steeply, about 46 percent of the rainfall flows directly into the sea. The authorities must consider how to prevent water from being wasted in this way.
I recently visited the Nankang plant of a foodstuffs manufacturer which has its own rain-water collection and recycling system. The rooftop of one of the factory buildings can accumulate 10,000 tonnes of rain water in a year and the basements under two of the factory buildings can store almost 20,000 tonnes for recycling purposes. Private companies should be given incentives to install water-collection facilities and new government buildings should be required as a precondition for planning permission, to install rain-water collection and recycling systems.
The way in which Taiwan's water resources are regulated requires review. How should water be transported from one place to another? What water transportation systems are in place when water purchased from abroad, eg, the Philippines or China, arrives by boat at a local harbor?
We could consider construction of a south-to-north water pipeline along the freeway from Kaohsiung harbor to Keelung harbor with intersecting pipelines at highway interchanges. This would eliminate the inefficient transportation of water by truck when there is a shortage.
As far as the use of ground-water is concerned, total ground-water volumes should first be established. Artificial and natural methods for replenishing groundwater should also be considered. In particular, a geographical environment whose ground surface does not allow water to permeate should be avoided, otherwise rain will lead to floods and a lack of rain to droughts.
The area of land set aside for vegetation should be increased, sidewalks should be covered with materials allowing water to permeate and schools should stop wasting large amounts of money on expensive polyurethane coverings for their running tracks. A bit less artifice and a bit more naturalness should be the principle for co-existing with Mother Nature.
Even though the drought has been halted temporarily, the government can't gamble with nature in its water policies. Preventive measures must be implemented as soon as possible and the public must get used to saving water, behaving as if there is a water shortage even when there isn't. This is the only way to avoid droughts.
Cheng Jen-hung is the deputy secretary-general of the Consumers' Foundation, Chinese Taipei.
Translated by Perry Svensson
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